A wonderfully sherried 15 year old dram from Glenfarclas, boasting oodles of dried fruit notes. It’s bottled at 46% ABV simply because this was the strength that George Grant’s grandfather preferred it at. Happily, this also results in the Speysider boasting a big, juicy, Christmas cake profile. A fabulously complex Scotch while also being easily drinkable.
Intense, powerful sherry. Cream sherry, certainly – Pedro Ximenez? almost… a touch of peppermint? An almost rancio quality to this. Smells older than 15.
Raisins, more sherry, orange peel, walnuts, dates.
Incredibly long, complex, more of the walnuts again.
Water draws out sweetness. This is Christmas cake, not whisky. Simply astonishing.
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Dissapointed with this. Asked for a bottle for Christmas and luckily got a miniature. It was a struggle to be honest. Nose was lovely and sweet with the obvious sherry notes but the palette and finish was overtaken by a oaky harsh bitterness. Even a teaspoon or two of water didn't help the bitterness unfortunately. Just not for me.
The taste is generally good, sweet and spicy, but the alcohol smell and taste is dominating to much... Which is odd since it is "only" 46% and I have cask strength drams, that I find less ethanol tasting. Would not buy again.
Over the years I have enjoyed many bottles of this 15yo. It was a reliable 'go-to' for a rich sherried dram. Opened my new bottle last night to cheer myself up after all the depressing news about more lockdowns. However, I can't say I enjoyed my dram as much as I was expecting. It was a pale imitation of the 'Christmas cake in a glass' it used to be: it didn't seem to have the same richness or body or lingering finish. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad dram - just not up to standard, in my opinion.
Great sherried whisky this. 15 yrs is a nice age for me. quite smooth too, and at price its a no brainer..
Interesting flavours, quite unexpected as the 18year tastes quite unlike this one. Definitely tasting the walnuts, lightly roasted. Memories of a dried up fruit cake with tons of fruit came to mind after getting over the strong nuttiness. Was excited to try this, but now that I have (had a sample bottle), I might not see myself purchasing a bottle.
